Upgrading from a VPI Aries 1- is it worth it?


Hello all,
I have a VPI Aries 1 with "bear paws" feet and a separate flywheel.  I recently took it to VPI for tune-up and upgraded the cable junction box to a current one.  Overall, the table sounds much better now.  I was using a Lyra Delos but I got the opportunity to buy an Etna Lamda at an extremely favorable price and have since be using that.  I am very pleased to say that the Aries was up to the task of showing what an uprgrade the Etna is over the Delos (which is nonetheless a wonderful cart).  That said, I have been wondering if upgrading from the Aries would be worth it to get the most out of the Etna (or similar).   I am by no means sold on upgrading the turntable also because I wonder how much I would have to spend to get a meaningful improvement- in part because I have not owned other decks so my experience is limited. Hence, I thought I would ask for some thoughts from those that have much more experience than I do.  As a phono preamp I am using the PS audio Stellar.

I should also add that unfortunately I have suspended wooden floors so the set-up is not ideal though not terrible if one is careful not to stomp around while playing music- which I do not.  I cannot get a wall bracket so I have toyed with the idea that with a lighter table I could suspend a platform from the ceiling- but this would almost immediately be accompanied by being served with divorce papers so this remains a remote possibility.
 

pgastone

Showing 1 response by honeyooi

That ls one of the best cart, there is 2 option, get fatboy arm and upgrade phono stage. Me personally like tube in phono section. Either one will improve the sound .